August Edition: Identifying executive talent, supporting employees with cancer and the benefits of hedge funds

Mercer News & Notes returns to bring you more insights, research and bold ideas for August.

Five imperatives for executive assessment success

Selecting senior-level top talent is more critical than ever. However, identifying the right candidate is a complex process that requires a thorough analysis of candidates' critical experiences, business mindset, skills and behaviors. Decision-makers face high stakes and must carefully evaluate candidates based on leadership abilities, strategic thinking and long-term potential. 

By prioritizing executive talent assessments and ensuring the methodology underpinning them is fit for purpose, leadership teams will be better equipped with the right skills, values and mindset to drive an organization forward.

While achieving absolute precision may be elusive, cracking the code of executive assessment will rely on adhering to the five imperatives:

1. Embrace the paradoxes of leadership
2. Collaborate with leadership experts
3. Seek clarity and alignment on the success profile
4. Eliminate bias and noise
5. Set the executive up for success

Learn more about how to build a calculated strategy that enhances the likelihood of successful executive hiring, onboarding and, ultimately, positive change.

How employers can (and should) support their employees through cancer

The World Health Organization expects a 77% increase in cancer diagnosis over the next three decades, and one in every five people — from all segments of the population — are expected to be diagnosed at some point in their life. While the scale of its impact means that cancer is certainly a global issue, when you consider that cancer is a top cause of rising healthcare claims costs globally and that over 70% of the employed population identifies as a family caregiver, it becomes clear that cancer is also a pressing employer concern. 

 From healthcare costs to team cultural and morale, cancer can have wide-ranging and profound impacts on both individuals and organizations, and many employers are being proactive in addressing cancer in the workforce to ensure there is adequate support for the employee through all phases of their health journey. There are four key components to this cancer continuum:

• Prevention: Identifying or detecting cancer is the first line of defense. Strategies include ensuring employees and their families have access to preventive services, providing education on the importance of lifestyle modification, and linking employees to available public and/or private screening options
• Diagnosis: Early and accurate diagnosis can significantly change the outcome for the employee and impact the cost of treatment. Helping employees identify and access the most appropriate providers (as first and second opinions) is key to ensuring the accurate diagnosis and utilization of evidence-based clinical pathways.
• Treatment: Steering employees to high-quality care and removing barriers to access is critical as misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment can result in poorer health outcomes. Support employees seeking treatment locally or via a center of excellence by means of intentional and well-considered plan design.
• Workforce supports: Patients and their caregivers are all involved in a long-term journey that impacts all aspects of their well-being. Employers have a vested interest in addressing a total well-being strategy, as it mediates the relationship an employee has with work, at work and in life.

Learn more about how employers can support their people when they are needed most. 

The Benefits of Hedge Funds: Unlocking Diversification and Reliable Returns

Hedge funds have long been misunderstood. They've broadly been seen as too complex, high-risk and labor intensive. But in a complex market environment, it may be time to reframe this thinking and recognize hedge funds as an important strategic player within a balanced portfolio.

 Hedge fund strategies are highly idiosyncratic, delivering wide-ranging performance through evolving market conditions, with risk appetites varying even within the same strategy type. Our research and experience suggests that populating hedge fund programs with high quality managers, and diversifying allocations by return sources and implementation styles can establish a framework for potentially achieving consistent high quality returns.

 By allocating capital strategically across hedge funds underpinned by uncorrelated return drivers, investors can better mitigate inherent risks and biases within their hedge fund allocation. In turn, this driver of highly uncorrelated returns supports a total portfolio's ability to navigate changing market conditions – and potential to generate attractive returns even when traditional asset classes or strategies perform poorly.

Explore how hedge funds can unlock a robust and diversified portfolio.

Introducing Adeline Tan , Mercer's Wealth business leader in the bustling city of Hong Kong. As the head of both our investment advisory and retirement consulting teams, Adeline applies her actuarial techniques and critical thinking to solve our clients' most complex issues, establishing the Wealth team as a recognized and trusted advisor in the market.

Adeline's journey has taken her from studying in the UK to gaining 12 years of valuable experience before joining Mercer in Hong Kong. Through her dedication and expertise, she has become a subject matter expert and a senior business leader, guiding her team to strike a balance between big picture thinking and attention to detail. Adeline believes that being a good consultant requires one to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations and thrives in the challenging opportunities this career has offered.

Outside of work, Adeline has been practicing yoga for the past 15 years and encourages her colleagues to join her whenever possible. She also enjoys the arts and is looking forward to attending the Summer JazzFest in Hong Kong's West Kowloon Park.

With Adeline Tan leading the way, Mercer's Wealth team is dedicated to providing exceptional solutions and guidance to our clients. Join her on this journey and experience the impact of her leadership firsthand.

Are you already connected with Adeline? If not, check out her profile, follow, and connect with Adeline, and if you're an asset owner or client, be sure to register now to join Adeline at our upcoming Mercer Global Investment Forum in Hong Kong from September 25-26. 

And that’s all we have for this edition of Mercer News & Notes newsletter! We hope you’ll join us again next month as we continue to bring the latest insights directly to you, and please share any thoughts or recommendations on topics you’d like to see in our next issue in the comments below.  👇

Don’t forget to follow Mercer on LinkedIn for the latest insights and points of views on all things future of work, and feel free to reach out if you’d like to hear more about any of the topics discussed today!

The information contained in this document is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be relied upon as investment advice or an offer or solicitation. The information represents the views and opinions of the author(s) regarding the economic conditions or financial instruments referenced herein. The opinions expressed are subject to change without notice. 

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